This year summer might look and feel differently than in previous years. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, you might be searching for innovative ways to get away on a little vacation. A lot of people are turning to road trips and camping. But what if someone you are going with snores? It just might ruin your trip. 

Here’s what you need to know about snoring and sleep apnea to prepare for your upcoming camping trip. 

What is Snoring?

We know that about 45% of adults snore at least occasionally. There are also about 25% of individuals who are habitual snorers. Either way you look at it, someone is losing sleep. 

The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flowing air through passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This is the collapsible part of the airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. 

Snoring will occur when these structures strike each other and vibrate during breathing, which can be both socially and medically disabling. Socially, it can make the snorer an object of ridicule and can cause the bed partner to experience sleepless nights and fatigue. Medically, it disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of adequate rest too. It can also be a sign of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. 

How to stop or ease snoring

While snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it doesn’t mean you suffer from sleep apnea just as if you have sleep apnea it does not necessarily mean you will snore. Either way, it is important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment options. 

Here are some options that can help:

  • Try to lose weight: While not everyone with a snoring problem is overweight, obesity has been linked to snoring problems and sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Eating healthier and exercising regularly can help you slim down so you not only have more energy during the day, but sleep better at night.
  • Change your sleep position: Switching your sleep position from lying on your back to sleeping on your side might also help keep your airways clearer.
  • Watch your alcohol consumption: A link has also been found between snoring and your alcohol intake. Try having your last drink a couple of hours before you are going to hit the sack so you can have a more restful night.
  • Use oral appliances: Sometimes the positioning of your jaw while you sleep may block your upper airway. In these cases, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommends the use of an oral appliance similar to a retainer or mouth guard to support better jaw alignment while sleeping.

Contact us at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions in Scottsdale, Arizona to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one ease your snoring or sleep apnea so you can enjoy a nice camping trip this summer.